Kovacs’ mother lived with them and owns the house — she said she felt powerless to get rid of the animals herself.

“I’ve been begging my daughter and her boyfriend — that it was getting out of control. Rats continually breed,” Joyce Kovacs said. “Rabbits continually breed. I mean, you wouldn’t want to be in a cage for three days or four days with poop.”

The couple told police their daughter had crawled out of her crib, opened the front door, and wandered off. It turns out the girl wasn’t missing — a relative had stopped by to check on the girl, and found her crying with both parents asleep.

The relative took the child and left a note. Deputies found the note and say the girl is in good care. The parents face child abuse and animal cruelty charges.